Fallbrook Brewing Company pours last pint

Fallbrook craft beer fans held a four-day wake last week, mourning the loss of the Fallbrook Brewing Company, which closed for good the night of April 15.

Opened in 2013 by owner and operator Chuck McLaughlin, Fallbrook Brewing Company produced tasty beverages downtown at the corner of Main Ave. and Hawthorne St.

Its slogan was: "Be Social. Drink Local."

Although Fallbrook Brewing Company had a loyal group of customers, there simply weren't enough of them, according to McLaughlin.

"It's a business decision," said McLaughlin of closing Fallbrook Brewing Company. "The business isn't here. That's the bottom line."

McLaughlin said his affection for his regular customers made the decision to close his shop very difficult.

"That's been the hardest thing," said McLaughlin. "I love my regular customers."

McLaughlin is a full-time construction superintendent who was hoping to make making craft beer his full-time occupation.

"I got into the craft beer community and thought I could do good for downtown Fallbrook," said McLaughlin. "So five years ago we started it up and it was working for awhile and then here we are. I just haven't been able to sustain it or give up my day job. That was the ultimate goal."

McLaughlin said he would like to sell the business, stating there's "a small chance." If he can't, he'll sell his brewing equipment.

McLaughlin opened Fallbrook Brewing Company four days a week – Thursday through Sunday – and his regulars came out in force Thursday, April 12, the first day of the final week of business. Many vowed they would visit the pub each of the remaining three days.

Sarina Holborn, who for 2 1/2 years was the lady in charge of pouring beer on Thursdays, said she'll miss her customers.

"I have a very faithful group that comes in every Thursday and they're all very sad," said Holborn. "There's a Facebook page that someone started called 'the lost children of FBC.'

Everyone is really sad."

Holborn added that she'll also miss working for McLaughlin and his wife, Jaime.

"They're great people," said Holborn of the McLaughlins. "They're just really nice, really good people."

Fallbrook Brewing Company allowed patrons to bring their children and dogs. Games – including classics like Sorry, Battleship, Operation, Checkers and Scrabble – were available for kids and adults to play and enjoy. There was also free popcorn.

"The people, and that includes the owners," said Edward Moore of what he'll miss most about the Fallbrook Brewing Company, an establishment he had been visiting for more than three years. "It's a family atmosphere. I met a lot of nice people here."

Peter Wedll, a customer for four years, described Fallbrook Brewing Company as "a place where you can go to and relax with your friends" and bemoaned the loss of the brew pub.

"We need a place like this in town to keep being a town," said Wedll, noting that San Diego County is known for its craft beer makers. "We need places like this to be relevant."

Wedll fears the development near I-15 and State Route 76 will further hurt downtown businesses.

"The development out near Pala Mesa will probably get a place like this," said Wedll, who for 40 years has owned and operated The Artery on Main Avenue. "They're going to be doing well and our downtown is going to take it in the shorts."

Rebecca Dass, along with her son, Issac, visited Fallbrook Brewing Company every Thursday while her daughter, Judith, attended dance class at a nearby studio

"It's been are mother-son time," said Dass. "It's been great because there's games, there's popcorn and there's root beer. We're going to miss this."

Yvette Sybert said Fallbrook Brewing Company was her place to hang out and read comic books. She was reading the latest issue in the "Walking Dead" series last Thursday.

"I'll read and then I'll socialize," said Sybert of her Thursday routine at Fallbrook Brewing Company. "It's just really low key, family friendly. Everybody is really nice."

Sybert, who had been attending the pub for two years, was asked where she'll go now to read her comic books and enjoy a pint of craft beer.

"I don't know," said Sybert. "I'm sad. It's not going to be the same."